PREVIEW OF ROUND 21 MATCHES (all times AEST)
FRIDAY, Aug 9
GWS v Hawthorn at UNSW Canberra Oval, 7.50pm
Head to head: Giants 3 Hawks 4 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 8, 2019 – Hawks 10.11 (71) bt Giants 5.8 (38) at MCG
It wasn’t convincing, but GWS posted their third straight win with a nailbiting two-point triumph over Sydney. The Giants are just one game adrift of fourth spot have been boosted by the return of Jeremy Cameron. Hawthorn are playing for pride now following losses to Brisbane and North in the past fortnight.
Key: Toby Greene. The GWS dynamo has been influential in the midfield over the past four games, averaging 31 disposals and booting five goals.
Tip: Giants by 29
SATURDAY, Aug 10
Melbourne v Collingwood at MCG, 1.45pm
Head to head: Demons 83 Magpies 149 Drawn 5
Last clash: Round 12, 2019 – Magpies 15.8 (98) bt Demons 7.15 (57) at MCG
The Magpies posted a percentage-boosting 69-point win over Gold Coast last week. But it came at a cost, with big man Mason Cox suffering a season-ending eye injury. Melbourne slumped to their 14th loss of the season last week after going down to Richmond by 33 points.
Key: Ruck battle. Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy are the two premier ruckmen going around. Their duel will prove crucial in the final result.
Tip: Magpies by 19
Port Adelaide v Sydney at Adelaide Oval, 2.10pm
Head to head: Power 9 Swans 20 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 2, 2018 – Power 14.10 (94) bt Swans 10.11 (71) at SCG
The Power’s topsy-turvy form continued last week when they thrashed Essendon by 59 points in a shock result. It kept their finals hopes alive, but it will be game over if they lose to Sydney. The Swans were brave in a two-point loss to GWS last week.
Key: Robbie Gray. The Power veteran booted four goals last week. Can the Swans blanket him?
Tip: Power by 14
Brisbane v Gold Coast at Gabba, 4.35pm
Head to head: Lions 11 Suns 6 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 6, 2019 – Lions 16.15 (111) bt Suns 9.8 (62) at Carrara
Brisbane extended their winning streak to seven with an 18-point win over the Bulldogs. In contrast, Gold Coast have now lost 15 straight, with the latest a 69-point surrender to Collingwood.
Key: Stopping Charlie Cameron. Brisbane’s forward line is expected to receive plenty of supply against the Suns, and Cameron could run amok if he isn’t shut down.
Tip: Lions by 49
Essendon v Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium, 7.25pm
Head to head: Bombers 94 Bulldogs 64 Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 3, 2018 – Bulldogs 14.20 (104) bt Bombers 12.11 (83) at Marvel Stadium
This looms as a season-defining clash for both sides. The Bulldogs need to win if they are to keep their finals hopes alive. Essendon were horrible in last week’s 59-point loss to Port Adelaide, but can still secure a home final with a strong finish to the season.
Key: Keeping Marcus Bontempelli on a leash. The Bulldogs midfielder has hit a rich vein of form over the past fortnight, and looms as a key yet again.
Tip: Bombers by 17
Geelong v North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium, 7.25pm
Head to head: Cats 99 Kangaroos 63 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 8, 2019 – Cats 16.8 (104) bt Kangaroos 11.14 (80) at Marvel Stadium
Alarm bells are starting to ring at Geelong, with their slow ball movement proving costly in their 34-point loss to Fremantle. The Cats have now lost four of their past seven matches, and could be booted from top spot this weekend with another defeat. The Kangaroos beat Hawthorn by 22 points last week.
Key: Supply to Tom Hawkins. The Cats spearhead is in hot form, but isn’t receiving much supply. He will kick a bag if Geelong’s midfield can regain their mojo.
Tip: Cats by 27
SUNDAY, Aug 11
St Kilda v Fremantle at Marvel Stadium, 1.10pm
Head to head: Saints 19 Dockers 16 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 3, 2019 – Dockers 11.5 (71) bt Saints 9.12 (66) at Optus Stadium
St Kilda’s finals hopes were extinguished in last week’s 22-point loss to Adelaide. But Fremantle’s are still flickering after causing one of the upsets of the season – a 34-point win over ladder leaders Geelong.
Key: Fremantle’s no-name forwards. With spearheads Matt Taberner, Jesse Hogan, Rory Lobb, and Brennan Cox all injured, can Fremantle’s makeshift forward line kick a winning score for a second week in a row?
Tip: Saints by 19
Richmond v Carlton at the MCG, 3.20pm
Head to head: Tigers 93 Blues 125 Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 1, 2019 – Tigers 14.13 (97) bt Blues 9.10 (64) at MCG
Richmond have posted six straight wins to move to within striking distance of the top two. Their latest triumph was a 33-point win over Melbourne. Carlton’s three-game winning streak was brought undone last week when they lost to West Coast by 24 points.
Key: Dustin Martin v Patrick Cripps. Two superstar midfielders, but which one will have the biggest influence?
Tip: Tigers by 31
West Coast v Adelaide at Optus Stadium, 5.20pm
Head to head: Eagles 26 Crows 21 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 10, 2019 – Eagles 13.7 (85) bt Crows 10.13 (73) at Adelaide Oval
Adelaide’s 22-point win over St Kilda ensured they would cling onto eighth spot for another week. West Coast sit in second spot, but they are just 0.8 per cent ahead of Brisbane and will be aiming for a big win against the Crows.
Key: West Coast’s intercept power in defence. The marking prowess of Jeremy McGovern, Shannon Hurn, and Tom Barrass will be hard for the Crows to overcome.
Tip: Eagles by 29